Queen Maxima of Netherlands joins country’s army as reservist

Footage shows the royal swimming in a pool wearing goggles that obscure her vision, as well as abseiling down scaffolding and descending a rock climbing wall.

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has joined the country’s armed forces as a reserve soldier, the Dutch defence forces announced in an Instagram post this week.

In a statement on Wednesday, the 54-year-old queen said she “has chosen to enlist now because our safety can no longer be taken for granted, and she, like many others, wants to contribute to that safety.”

Currently, in the Netherlands, it is possible to be appointed as a reservist in the army until the age of 55.

Queen Máxima currently holds the rank of soldier, but upon completing her training, she will be promoted to lieutenant-colonel. “Like other reservists, she will deploy where needed,” the statement continued.

The ministry shared a series of photos and a video from the royal’s training camp, including mental skills testing at the Royal Military Academy in Breda, in the south of the country, firearms training, and other exercises.

Footage shows the queen swimming in a pool wearing goggles that obscure her vision, as well as abseiling down scaffolding and descending a rock climbing wall.

Dutch reservists are active across all branches of the Ministry of Defence, particularly during periods of heightened tension, her statement explained.